Virtual Host Time Zone Routing via Port Listener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy approaches for configuring virtual hosts in a global enterprise setting to support multiple time zones require deploying multiple physical servers, leading to increased costs and complexity, as well as the inability to perform transparent configuration of virtual hosts and applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmodified application software and network address translation techniques to configure a port listener that maps IP packets to corresponding time zones, allowing virtual hosts with initialized time zone virtual clocks to timestamp transactions accurately without the need for multiple physical servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple physical servers are deployed to support multiple time zones, then timestamping accuracy for each time zone is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple time zone support into a single physical server by implementing virtual hosting technology. The system creates multiple virtual hosts on one server, each configured with its own time zone settings, allowing the server to handle requests from different time zones simultaneously. This merging approach maintains timestamping accuracy for each time zone while eliminating the need for multiple separate physical servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical server is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting multiple time zones through virtual hosting. The server can dynamically switch between different time zone configurations based on the incoming request, making it a universal platform that serves multiple time zone requirements without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each zone.
2Measurement precision
If multiple physical servers are deployed for each time zone, then time zone-specific timestamping is achieved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple time zone servers into a single physical server with virtual hosting capabilities. This merging reduces maintenance costs by eliminating redundant hardware, software licenses, and infrastructure requirements while maintaining the ability to provide accurate time zone-specific timestamping through virtual host configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying multiple physical servers, the system creates virtual copies of server functionality through virtual hosts. Each virtual host is configured to behave as if it were a separate server with its own time zone settings, providing the appearance and functionality of multiple servers while using a single physical platform, thereby reducing maintenance overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy server deployment approach is used, then time zone support is achieved, but transparency of configuration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual host configuration layer that acts as an intermediary between the application and the underlying physical server infrastructure. This configuration layer provides transparent time zone support by automatically routing requests to the appropriate time zone context without requiring applications to be aware of or configured for multiple time zones manually. The configuration is handled transparently through the virtual hosting mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for transparent configuration of virtual hosts to support timestamping of documents that are processed in multiple time zones within an enterprise platform. Embodiments use network address translation and virtual host initialization techniques to configure a port listener such that the port listener receives IP packets from the network interface and uses the subnet's network address IP address to map to a time zone correspondence. When the identified time zone corresponds to a first time zone, then the port listener forwards the IP packet to a first virtual host process that has been initialized with a first time zone virtual time clock used for timestamping. When the identified time zone corresponds to a second time zone, the port listener forwards the IP packet to a second virtual host process that has been initialized with a second time zone virtual time clock used for timestamping.